He very well could. I'm not particularly mystical in my thinking, but I absolutely believe that God speaks to us through His Holy Spirit. In particular, when we our heads are in that "God Place"- meaning we are prayerfully trusting Him and obeying Him- He gently impresses upon us his view. This is especially the case when we regularly consult His Words, as recorded in the Bible.

A snippet of scripture, or an entire book; whatever it is, but when our eyes land on it, these Words resonate so meaningfully that there is no mistaking the Source.

I keep a Bible at work, so that I can do a short devotional the first thing in the morning, before the onslaught begins. There's something about being undergirded with His Words before the day begins, that enables me to deal with problems and daily stress from a much better perspective. I also have a bible at home that I use for weekend study.

Sometimes, to break things up, I'll begin my Bible study by simply opening it to whatever page I land on. Last week, when I opened my work Bible randomly, I turned to Old Testament scripture that biblical scholars pretty much universally believe is prophecy of Jesus' birth. This morning, when I opened my Bible, I turned to the same scripture. Two days, two different Bibles- but the same scripture. Both times I turned to the sme scripture prophesying Jesus.

It got me thinking. What if Jesus were to come back today? That got me thinking about the million or so bad things I had done this week.

Note to self: You are a Christian. It means that the outcome of your eventual date with destiny is assured. But it also means that if you believe it, really believe it, you need to act like it. You need to live a life that is as close to the Jesus' model as is humanly possible.

"Christians aren't perfect; just forgiven" may be a catchy slogan, but it shouldn't become an excuse. Live every single day of your life with one goal- to become pleasing to Him.

I woke up early this morning. It is a beautiful Nashville day; early Spring. This time of year, the mornings are still chilly, but quickly warm up. The sky is clear, crystalline blue. Everything is green.

The birds seem to understand it- they are out in force. Their songs punctuate the morning. As the sun continues to rise, they begin to move about presumably in search of breakfast.

Around the world, we celebrate.

Just when they thought it couldn't get any worse, something happened. He had suffered a day that had been predicted for many years. He was wrenched from his friends in the middle of the night after an already long day. They beat him, spit on him, whipped him, and finally crucified him. He never argued or defended himself. As they drove the nails into him, he didn't beg for his life.

Slowly, excruciatingly, he died. Whether from the injuries received, the inability to breath, or shock; he died.

His friends watched all of it. At first, they simply tried to stay of it. After all, these people would come after them next. Throughout the day, they grew a bit bolder and saw it all happen. They watched the charade by the religious leaders; the phony accusations, the humiliation, the torture.

When he died, they felt deep loss. The one person who loved them unconditionally was gone. They felt shame. No one rose to his defense. He died alone.

They thought that was the end of it. His tormentors thought it was the end of him and his threat to their established authority, in the name of God.

But something happened that morning. The women went to his hasty grave for the purpose of properly preparing his body for burial. Even in death, he had been cheated of dignity and respect.

As they approached the grave, they realized that it was open. Even more incredibly, his grave was empty! Someone had taken his body, they thought.

And then, they saw him.

He was alive!

Everything he had taught, everything they believed, came true in that instant.

Jesus had the power to conquer death. No matter what happened to him, no matter how horrible life (and its end) was, he overcame it. He had promised it. And now, they realized it was true.

It's what we celebrate every Easter. Whether it's the Easter Bunny or something else, this time of year we all commemorate what happened to Jesus. The community of mankind recognizes what happened that early, quiet morning when those women realized that Jesus was still alive.

He offers it to us. We believe. We trust. And we live the way that he wants us to live.

We will conquer the grave. No matter what this life throws at us, no matter how unfair or difficult, we will live forever. With those believers who have gone before us. With Jesus, in heaven.